* One of the problems with some Republican opposition to House Speaker Michael Madigan’s bill to appropriate $100 million to help fund the construction of an Obama presidential library was that the GOPs set a rhetorical trap for themselves. For instance…

“We’re not opposed to the library, but we have lots of other needs,” [Republican Rep. Ed Sullivan] said, citing, for example, Emanuel’s push to outfit more city schools with air-conditioning.

“Do you want to pay for air conditioning in schools or a library? Do you want to pay for cops on the streets to stop the killing or do you want to pay for a library?” Sullivan said.

Statements like that made it appear that they could support big, new spending for Chicago.

“We absolutely want future presidential libraries to be built in Illinois. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library has proven to be a major tourist destination, bringing people from around the country and world to visit Springfield,” Brady said. “However, simply put, Illinois doesn’t have $100 million to spend on a presidential library. State funds are already spread too thin to pay off our debt, make upgrades to our roads and provide essential services.”

If approved, the tax check-off would appear on tax returns in 2015 with any proceeds going toward the construction of the library. If less than $100,000 is collected, the check-off would be eliminated.

As much as I would like to see the Obama presidential library in Illinois, the state still owes state workers their back-pay. I don’t have the number, but I believe it’s upward of $100 million. That’s real money for work already completed.

Part of the back-pay was issued already, but more must be issued, I believe for FY 2011. This must be done via legislative appropriation, and there is no indication that it will be issued either now or in the near future.

That’s my take on the Obama library situation. I have mixed feelings about it. I definitely want to see the Obama library in Illinois, but there are other fiscal issues to be considered.

“This is the fourth Illinois governor in a row to be investigated by the feds. Before Quinn, governors Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan did time, or still is doing time, for selling their offices. Even Jim Edgar was probed in the MSI scandal, but survived the search.

Jim Thompson was not investigated, but he was the feds, having been the U.S. attorney who sent another governor to prison, Otto Keener, in a race track stock scandal. Governor Dan Walker did time, not for corruption, but for bank fraud after he was out of office.”

Think One Man and Willy described Brady’s move exactly; excellent compromise solution to the “wants” vs “needs” arguments; if it doesn’t bring in the money, then Madigan can always come back for the remainder. He can have his cake and eat it too..

I am leaving IL. Republicans being smart, strategically! I’ve had it. I am not use to this non-disfunctional thinking. We’ve had Rauner make several good moves, Oberweis has not blown it yet and now this!

I wouldn’t call it “brilliant” or new thinking. It’s just a better approach. That being said, it wouldn’t raise nearly enough. These check offs are really not much less gimmicky than any of the rest of these poor formulas.

===I wouldn’t call it “brilliant” or new thinking. It’s just a better approach. That being said, it wouldn’t raise nearly enough.===

Um, that’s why it’s brilliant. If anyone is concerned about Obama funding his OWN library, well, this isn’t going to fully fund it, and it’s up to citizens, not Illinois Government to give, “what it can”. Genius.

===These check offs are really not much less gimmicky than any of the rest of these poor formulas.===

Thus, a proportional response, to a gimmicky vote to fund $100 million to make the GOP FA members look anti-Obama.

Proportional, zero funding, state actively involved in Private Funding, and no “trick bag” of the $100 million being agreed to, but not agreeing to spend money on schools, or being seen as against the Native Son.